In a bid to break a diplomatic deadlock, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told parliament members on Sunday that Tehran is committed to its indirect negotiations with the United States—and insists there can be no delays. Speaking at a meeting of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee in Tehran, Gharibabadi highlighted the urgency of moving forward after the second round of talks in Rome on April 19.
“We agreed on the overall framework, agenda, and next steps for technical discussions,” he said, according to committee spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei. He stressed that lifting all U.S. sanctions must be done in a way that directly benefits the Iranian people. At the same time, he reaffirmed that Tehran’s right to enrich uranium remains a non‑negotiable red line.
These talks build on an earlier session in Muscat, Oman, on April 12, focusing on reviving the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Under that deal, Iran accepted limits on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. But in May 2018, the United States withdrew and reimposed penalties, prompting Tehran to scale back some of its commitments.
Both sides have praised the recent meetings as constructive, despite the shadow of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats against Iran. With global eyes on Rome, Tehran now aims to turn diplomatic momentum into concrete progress—swiftly and without delay.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
